I have had many bottles of the Marques De Riscal, of whom a friend’s father was on the Board many moons ago.  I think of my visit to Spain every time I see the twisted wire around bottles of this Tempranillo.

In the glass it is a reddish shade, pretty opaque and showing off wide legs down the edges.  The nose is gorgeous- tar, black plum, earthy spice and bramble.  On the palate it is rich, unctuous and very fruit forward with blackberry jam, plum reduction, spice box and cedar.  It is delicious.  There is a very nice acidic component that carries me to the maid palate where those classic Rioja flavors of creosote come to the forefront.  There is a spiciness on the back end that I really enjoy.  The back end is long, with a crescendo of tannins peaking at the tail end.  It’s a really nice, dry yet tart finish with some definite wood influence.  The mouthfeel begs for the Strip Roast I am cooking on the smoker.  This wine is drinking beautifully and will cellar well till 2027.  92 points and 5 stars for this $20 stunner.  Salut….

A beautiful reddish shade of purple in the glass.  The nose is fresh and shows off raspberry, mint and red currants.  The palate has red fruits and delightful tannins- juicy.  There is a minerality to this wine to go with its cutting approach.  It sure is mouth watering.  Currants, pomegranate and a touch of that Spanish creosote all come together for me.  The finish turns a little more earthy and that Rioja garrigue comes in to play.  This is a nice wine with very precise flavors and a tannin/acid balance.  The finish is a little short and that will cost it a point but it’s really enjoyable and I would pair it with pasta, beef stew or grilled garlic chicken.  Drink till 2028.  90 points and 5 stars for this $15 Tempranillo.  Salut….

I’m concerned for this bottle.  The cork was extruded, indicating possible heat damage.  The color looks good, dark purple, opaque.  The nose is reassuring, sublime.  Classic aged Rioja.  Oaky, earthy, damson and plum reduction.  The palate shows some heat damage unfortunately and is a bit thin.

I will try my best here considering- flavors of ripe fig, blueberry and plum come at me with a noticeable amount of earthiness.  The mid palate is very much textbook- bramble, dirt, tart acidity and iodine.  The finish is decent in length but has some stewed fruits that I think are from the heat.  Nice tannins and some bracing acidity all form up at the end.  It’s a shame because it could potentially be a 92 point wine.  I paid $40 for this Tempranillo which would have made it a 5 pointer.  Salut….